Aswang
An
Aswang (or
Asuwang) is a
mythological shape-shifting creature in
Filipino folklore, somewhat akin to
Vampires. Unlike vampires, however, Aswang are mainly eaters of the dead. The trademark or major feature of Aswangs which distinguish them from other Filipino mythological creaturers is their propensity to replace stolen cadavers with the trunk of a
banana tree carved in the cadaver's likeness. They are also said to like to eat small children. Their favorite body parts are the liver and heart.
The myth of the Aswang is popular in the
Visayan region of the
Philippines, specially in the western provinces of
Capiz,
Iloilo,
Antique. Aside from entertainment value, mothers are said to tell their children Aswang stories to keep them off the streets and keep them home at night. Similar to Count Vlad Dracul of Transylvania in Vampire stories, the most popular characters are the clan of Tiniente Gimo of the town of Dueñas, Iloilo.
Appearance and activities
\nIn the stories, an Aswang is a regular, townsperson by day. Aswangs prefer an occupation related to meat, such as butchery or making sausages.
Aswangs are said to have an ageless appearance, a quiet, shy and elusive manner. They can be distinguished from humans by two signs: One sign is the bloodshot eyes, from staying up all night looking for opportunities to sneak into houses where funeral wakes are being held, and stealing the dead bodies.
According to the elderly, the Asuwang can also transform from human to animal and animal to human. The Aswang can disguise him/herself as a pig, dog or a black bird. Supposedly if a person looks at them in the eyes, the reflection would appear inverted. During their nocturnal activities, they walk with their feet facing backwards.
Dealing with Aswangs
\nIt is said that an Aswang can be revealed, with the use of a bottle of oil made from coconut and mixed with plant's stem prayed with Catholic prayers. When an Aswang comes near or walks outside the house at night, the oil is supposed to boil and continue boiling until the Aswang leaves the area.
Incidents and tabloids
\nLike UFO stories, X-files, etc. Aswang stories are one of the favorites in unreliable sensationalist tabloids, especially when there are grave robberies, child kidnappings, people with eccentric or peculiar habits and other incidents that can somehow be attributed to them. There are also quite a number of superstitious people, in the provinces mentioned who believe in their existence.
Other Filipino Mythological Creatures
\n* Manananggal\n* Multo\n* Kapre\n* Tikbalang
\nCategory:Filipino mythology
